National Research Conference on Climate Change

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), and the
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) are organizing a National Research Conference on
Climate Change to be held at IITD on March 5 and 6, 2010.

This conference will cover major topics on scientific, technical, economic, and policy aspects of
climate change relevant to India. Such a conference is the first in a series of annual conferences on this kind, with the possibility of targeted satellite conferences that are aimed at exploring particular themes in the climate arena (such as energy, disaster mitigation and adaptation, water, agriculture, etc.).

The main goals of this and future related conferences are to enhance capacity for climate research and action in the country by:
a. Identifying existing institutions and activities that are engaged in climate-related work in India;
b. Developing a common understanding of key issues;
c. Identifying lacunae in science, policy, and action that need particular attention;
d. Deepening and broadening institutional engagement, especially engaging smaller academic
institutions and NGOs in local climate-related activities across all parts of the country;
e. Strengthening a sense of ‘community” among researchers;
f. Initiating the development of an Indian Climate Research Network and an Indian Climate
Action Network;
g. Initiate a platform for a dialogue between researchers, NGOs, and policy-makers